Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss

Creatine is a widely used supplement taken by people who enjoy exercising, including athletes and bodybuilders. Most of them consume creatine because it has been known to make one’s body bigger and boost one’s strength in exercising.

It helps during high-intensity activities to help exercise for longer and aid in recovery. But many people wonder, does creatine cause hair loss?

Here we’ll take a look at the connection between creatine and hair thinning, what impact it has on your body, and whether there is any science to back up the claims. We’ll also take a look at how Hairy Hair can help with your hair loss.

Understanding creatine: What does it do?

Creatine is an amino acid that is found in your muscles. It is also in small amounts in red meats and fish. Your body naturally makes creatine in the liver and kidneys. Creatine gives your muscle cells a short burst of energy, which is useful when doing something with high energy, like sprinting or lifting weights.

If you are taking creatine supplements, then you can store more creatine in your muscle cells. Your body performance becomes enhanced with more strength and energy to perform well during long exercise. 

The vegans and vegetarians always like to have the supplements of creatine because these individuals do not eat meat and fish, both of which include natural creatine. Numerous studies have been conducted on creatine and its benefits, even extending to impacting brain function. Nutrients found that creatine has preliminary benefits for improving conditions like depression and anxiety.

The link between creatine and hair health

The potential link between creatine and baldness is from its capacity to increase dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body.

A Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine study, which followed rugby players taking creatine, found that DHT increased by more than 50% during the loading period. This is defined as taking a higher dose for one week and then a maintenance dose for two weeks. Furthermore, DHT levels stayed 40% higher than baseline in the maintenance phase.

But what is DHT? This powerful androgen hormone is a derivative of testosterone, and it attaches to hair follicles, withering them away over time. This results in a reduced hair growth cycle in which hairs develop, become smaller and shorter. This ultimately results in the arrest of follicle development, resulting in hair loss.

If there’s a family history of androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), then you may be more susceptible to noticing increased hair loss as a result of creatine intake. But not everybody is the same with DHT. Those who are slightly more sensitive towards DHT will get affected by it sooner than others. 

Is creatine safe to take?

Research has not found any issues with taking creatine in the short or long term. The International Society of Sports Nutrition says it did not find compelling scientific evidence that it would have any detrimental effects on individuals who were otherwise healthy.

Still, creatine has potential side effects besides hair loss. These include:

• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Weight gain
• Diarrhoea
• Kidney damage
• Liver dysfunction
• Dizziness
• Muscle cramps

Another common side effect of creatine intake is water retention. This can cause weight gain temporarily as your muscles take on more water. It can also lead to bloating or puffiness because of this. The weight gain usually resolves after use is reduced or stopped.

If you’re worried about what impact adding creatine to your workout may have on your body, you should speak to a healthcare professional. Particularly if you have a family history of pattern baldness, you might be more susceptible to a possible increase in DHT in your body.

Alternatives to creatine

For those who are reluctant to take creatine because of potential hair loss, there are alternatives that can be used with similar outcomes without changing hormones. They are:

• Whey protein: Whey protein works to repair muscles and aid in growth. This high-quality supplement is great if you’re aiming to build muscle.

• Beta-alanine: It helps to buffer lactic acid in muscle tissues. This alleviates fatigue in intense exercise. It is best for endurance and performance training protocols.

• BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): BCAAs aid in the recovery of muscles and prevent muscles from deteriorating. This is ideal for fitness buffs who want to keep their muscles intact despite rigorous workouts.

Keeping track of your hair health while taking creatine

If you are concerned about losing hair due to increased DHT from creatine supplementation, it is actually extremely important to watch your hair health. Paying close attention to your hair growth allows you to detect and act on thinning or loss earlier.

Check how dense and healthy your hair is. As you start seeing greater quantities of hair coming off your pillow or going down the shower drain, you might consider dialling back your creatine levels. You might even use a different supplement that has no effect on hair growth.

Using hair-strengthening treatments can help to keep your hair in good health. Choose a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically designed to make hair grow stronger. These will offer protection and reduce damage.

If baldness continues to deteriorate, visit an expert like a dermatologist or trichologist. They can offer expert advice and prescribe treatments to avoid more hair loss. 

How can Hairy Hair help with my hair loss?

Increased DHT levels from creatine are just one potential cause of hair loss. There can be many reasons why you may be losing your hair, from age to genetics, hormones and environmental changes. Not only that, but there could be a combination of issues that are causing shedding or thinning.

That’s why Hairy Hair offers a comprehensive treatment that works to tackle different hair loss issues simultaneously. The supplement is a DHT blocker and a vasodilator. What this means is that it expands the blood vessels of the scalp so that your hair follicles get more oxygen and nutrients.

It’s capped with natural ingredients to promote keratin, the keystone protein in hair fibres, and to cool down any inflammation. Through a well-rounded treatment solution, you may give your hair a better chance to resist shedding and promote regrowth compared to a single treatment.

Creatine and tackling hair loss

Current research does not conclusively prove that creatine causes hair loss. Creatine is able to increase the levels of DHT, and this will thin the hair of individuals who are sensitive to the hormone, but will not affect all those taking the supplement. 

The majority of people take creatine with no noticeable loss of hair. If you have fears about loss of hair during creatine use, you may try alternatives like whey protein that will not disturb DHT levels.

It is a good idea to keep an eye on the health of your hair and consult a professional if you notice something unusual. If you’re experiencing any hair loss and want to get a grip on it, consult Hairy Hair today.

Complete our short online questionnaire to get started. Once we get to know you and your hair loss situation, we’ll put together a personalised treatment plan. A qualified Australian GP will then give you a call to discuss your prescription and answer any questions you might have.

Your subscription will be shipped right to your door, which means no visits to the clinic. Our dedicated support team will be on hand to guide you through your journey to potentially renewed hair and confidence.